Anthony Lombardi, 12, and Mario Comella, 13, were cycling past a neighbour’s house in Coventry, Rhode Island, in the US on New Year’s Day when they heard smoke alarms going off.

When the fire started, people were at work and they couldn’t go back to the house so it was impossible for them to reach their pets,’ explains Nena Ververoglou, one of the many animal rescue volunteers working tirelessly to try to save as many creatures as she can.

Dogs who live with smokers are 60% more likely to get lung cancer and cats are twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma (Pictures: Getty Images/iStockphoto)Pets living in smoking households passively smoke more than 3,000 cigarettes a year, a new study has claimed.

Leicht reports that although Jezzy and her family were able to get to safety, you should never rely on a pet to warn you of a fire. Remember to check those smoke detectors often to protect your family and yourself.

Deepavali is one of the happiest times of the year, but for animals, it is among the most anxious, thanks to firecrackers. Ensure that you take your pet for a walk before the bursting of firecrackers begins.